Sabah ramps up efforts to advance digital inclusivity, network

KOTA KINABALU (Jan 13): The Sabah Government will strengthen strategic cooperation with the Ministry of Communications to ensure effective implementation of education digitalisation and digital inclusivity across the state.

Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (KPSTI) minister Datuk James Ratib expressed appreciation to the federal government and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) for their efforts in enhancing digital connectivity in Sabah, including the implementation of Jendela Phase 1 and allocations exceeding RM2 billion under Budget 2026, and MCMC-related initiatives to strengthen the state’s digital infrastructure.

“The education, science, technology and innovation portfolio in Sabah is highly dependent on stable and high-quality communications infrastructure, particularly for schools in rural, interior and island areas,” he said, adding that Sabah’s vast and challenging geography requires more tailored, high-impact policy approaches.

James made these remarks after paying a courtesy call on Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil at the ministry in Putrajaya on Monday.

KPSTI Sabah, he said, has also taken note of the implementation of Jendela Phase 2, which will focus on areas still lacking coverage, particularly in the interior.

In this regard, Sabah proposed that schools be prioritised as key implementation nodes.

“This includes direct fibre optic connections to school premises, as well as the expanded use of satellite technology for areas that remain difficult to reach in the near term,” James said.

He added that KPSTI is ready to act as a facilitator in matters involving land acquisition and local authority approvals to help expedite the rollout of digital infrastructure projects in Sabah.

During the discussion, James proposed that the use of the Universal Service Provision (USP) Fund be expanded beyond the construction of towers and external infrastructure to include the development of in-school digital learning ecosystems.

Among the proposals is the establishment of Digital Smart Labs in selected schools, particularly in rural and interior areas, to support learning in STEM, TVET, basic artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity.

“This approach will ensure that digital connectivity translates into meaningful learning outcomes for students, not just access,” he said.

Both parties also discussed digital safety issues affecting teenagers, including proposals to reduce mobile phone usage among those under the age of 16.

James said such measures are important to curb online sexual crimes, including the growing threat of pedophilia, while safeguarding the well-being and character development of young people.

KPSTI Sabah also proposed the establishment of a formal cooperation framework involving the Ministry of Communications, MCMC, KPSTI and the Sabah State Education Department to implement a whole-of-government approach to education digitalisation.

A joint pilot project model using the USP Fund was suggested to demonstrate implementation effectiveness before scaling it up statewide.

Concluding the meeting, he expressed confidence that the close collaboration could serve as a national model for education digitalisation in states with challenging geography, in line with the Malaysia Madani aspirations and for the future of Sabah’s younger generation.

Also present was Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) chairman Tan Sri Mohamad Salim Fateh Din.